I had heard and believed that it was the man who chose to be saved by professing a faith in Jesus. And I cannot dismiss the power of that confession. The modern church teaches that this profession is all that is necessary for salvation. And even the Lord said that “All those who call on the Name of the Lord will be saved”. But I find something a bit odd about that.
As I’ve walked a few years and encountered many different facets of salvation, I’ve come (rather continually) face to face with the source of that confession. It is the Lord who raises a man’s soul to reach out to Him. As it was the Lord who gave life to the soul who now calls His name. In all things, it is the Lord who IS.
Why does this prompt an entry in this blog? Because I think I hear a different story coming from the mainstream churches: Some how, they profess, there is a way a man can save himself by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus. Though there might be some merit to this “calling out” in regard to the Lord’s ears, I have some issue with using man’s will as a basis of salvation.
I find that regardless where I stand before the Lord, it is the Lord who is the end all game decider in my salvation. And it is to Him that every appeal and item of “The Faith” belongs. In all things, it is Jesus Alone who saves (and this to the Glory of the Father in Heaven).
Consider what I’ve entered here with trembling thoughts. If you think differently on this issue, the Lord will make it plain enough in time.
By His Grace.
Words From There 
I believe that you are correct – Ephesians says that the faith to accept Christ is a gift of God; Romans teaches that even our faith is from the Lord, and the Bible says that no man seeks God but that every man is sought by him.
However, when dealing with someone who doesn’t know and hasn’t experienced the grace of salvation, trying to explain that even the will to accept Christ comes from above is often too much to comprehend. I believe that’s why Paul was focused only on the cross and on Jesus’ payment for our sin.
I don’t think people actually believe that man saves himself by his own will. John 1 says it’s not by the will of man. I think it’s a simplistic way of saying that we still – no matter what God offers – have to choose to accept his gift.
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